STEVEN GERRARD has revealed his pride as he prepares to make his 500th appearance for Liverpool at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The Reds skipper will become only the 13th player in the club’s illustrious history to reach the impressive milestone.

His debut also came against Rovers back in November 1998 and he admits the past 11 years have surpassed all his expectations.

“It means everything to me personally to get to 500 games because I’m a local boy,” he said.

“My dream when I was young was always just to play one game for Liverpool so to reach this milestone is a really proud moment for myself and my family.

“Around the time I made my debut my dad was always saying to me ‘you are so close to getting your chance’. I was just praying that chance came along.

“At the time we had injuries to big players like Steve McManaman and Paul Ince and I managed to sneak on as a sub.

“That was against Blackburn and now 500 games later I’ll be starting as captain against them this weekend.

“I’ve had an amazing career so far and hopefully it will continue to go the same way. I’m living the dream.”

The only major club honour missing from Gerrard’s CV is the Premier League title.

With the Reds 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea he admits that is unlikely to change this season, but he believes after a tough few months better times lie ahead.

“We have to be realistic and at the moment we’re out of the title race,” he said.

“There is a lot of football to be played but Chelsea are looking really strong.

“Our main target is to get back in the top four. We’re on the back of a fantastic win against Everton and we want to continue that against Blackburn.

“We were so close last season but with virtually the same group of players we have under-achieved so far this season.

“What we’ve learned is that if you under perform you will fall behind as we’ve done.

“But I’ve got total belief in my team-mates that moving forward we can challenge for it. It has been too long since the club won the title and because it’s missing from my collection it’s the one I’m most desperate for.

“It’s a very difficult trophy to win but we won’t stop trying.”

Successive wins against Debrecen and Everton have helped restore confidence and Gerrard has praised Jamie Carragher for the part he’s played in the Reds’ revival.

The 29-year-old revealed he has been trying to convince Carragher to reconsider his retirement from international football.

“Jamie’s return to form has been vital,” Gerrard added.

“He got a little bit of stick earlier in the season but he’s been magnificent in the last couple of games and hopefully that will continue.

“I still feel that he’s good enough to be in the England set-up. I’ve tried to get him back and I’ll continue to try, but Jamie’s made a decision and I think we have to respect that. He’s certainly a top player and it’s a pleasure to play with him.”

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres’ hopes of facing Blackburn on Saturday have been boosted after he played a full part in training at Melwood yesterday.

The Spanish striker has just completed a three-week rehabilitation programme aimed at curing his groin injury.

The Reds will continue to monitor Torres’ progress before deciding whether to recall him for the trip to Ewood Park.

Torres has missed the last four games and not featured since the 1-1 draw in Lyon on November 4.